Wilma passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 89 years of age. Wilma was born in Kamloops on November 29, 1933 and grew up in Walhachin. Her schooling was in Ashcroft, BC as well as correspondence for Grades 11 and 12. She took her normal school “teachers” training at the Coast. Mom married Ralph in Kamloops BC on October 3, 1953, living in North Bend and then returning to Kamloops. Mom’s first teaching post was in Deep Creek, BC in a one room school, near Armstrong, BC. Wilma enjoyed many pastimes and volunteered for many years. She was very involved with the Cottonwood Manor Seniors Housing for years. With failing health, she moved to Gemstone Care Facility and enjoyed multiple activities, especially the Mother Goose program. Wilma was a proud Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She was a cherished friend, especially her Ladies Lunch Group and a loving sister to her four siblings. Mom had a calm way of setting everyone at ease and her smile lit up the room.
Special thanks to Dr. Mavis Hollman for her many years of care and friendship. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Wilma’s name would be appreciated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Wilma is survived by son Keith (Roxanne) Baird of Kamloops, daughters Laurel (Colleen) Baird of Kamloops and Karen Baird of Kamloops; brother Joseph Turner of Kamloops and sister Margaret Weissbrod of Kamloops; brother in-law Cornelius Jaenen; grandchildren Dominique Baird of Kamloops, Nathan Baird of Edmonton, Justin Baird of Kamloops and Karley Baird of Kamloops; great grandchildren Kai and Brie St. Jean of Kamloops; and multiple nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Alexander Baird (2000), parents May and William Turner, brother Art Turner and sister Ina Jaenen.
The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00am on Friday, January 6, 2023 in Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. Following the Service, Wilma will be laid to rest in the Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577
8 Tributes
Today I am deeply Saddened and my heart hurts.
The world lost a beautiful soul this morning….
Wilma Baird or better known as Grandma or GG
You had to fight so much and so hard for so many years. Between battling Dementia and then having a stroke you went through hell and back and still managed to be one of the kindest people I know and handled so much of your life with grace.
Nobody is perfect but if anyone was closest to it , it would have been her. I can’t picture a single bad memory with my Grandmother, she was always there for me and supported me through so much.
She never lost her motherly instincts at all and that was shown through how amazing she was to both of her Great Grandbabies
From being a school teacher, a mother , a spouse and a grandmother every aspect of her life was joyful and had so much meaning.
I love you Grandma the babies love you so much too and we are at least happy to know you finally get the peace you have been wanting for so long
Today was a rough day it is with heavy heart to announce the passing of my
grandmother Wilma Baird you fought the biggest battle against dementia you never gave up. You still told us how proud you were of us and showed us all the love you still had to give. You were there for all my life, and I hope I made you proud by being the man I am today.
May heaven treat you right and be at peace now with grandpa
You taught me how to be so fearless
Always pushing me further each day
Saying that I could overcome it all
And find happiness along the way if I tried
I’ll go along with the pain
And I swear that I won’t complain
I’ll have the dream you gave me
To keep me strong just how I should be.
Even if I am far from you
When there’s more than distance between us
I will pick myself up once more
With the strength I have thanks to you
It’s your voice that I can still hear
Like a light that will not disappear
Even if it’s hard to move on
Even if I cannot stop my tears
My heart is warm because of you
And I’ll hold that dear for all my years
Our time came and went by so fast
I now look back and make it last
If I close my eyes I can hear
Someone laughing long ago with me
To this day I’ve held that right here
‘Cause you’re still my most precious treasure
I love you forever and always with all my heart
Keith, Laurel and Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Auntie Wilma was a well loved auntie who always had a word of encouragement. She was compassionate, generous and wise. We have found memories of camping at the Shuswap Lake; boating, going on long walks and eating way too much food. We spent many Thanksgivings with her and Uncle Ralph and there was always room for one more, no matter how many people were already there. Love to all her family. May you be comforted.
I’m so sorry it happened just at this time of year when we sort of like to “celebrate”, and it’s harder to travel. I was a much younger cousin to Ralph, but particularly remember the couple of weeks I spent at the house in Kamloops that Laurel still lives in, when I was doing my teacher training practicum there in May 1965. Wilma was helpful with my teaching there too as she also was a teacher. I remember Keith was just learning to walk, and Uncle Joe would sometimes laugh when he fell, and Keith would laugh, and when Uncle Joe said “poor Keith” in a sad voice, Keith would look like he was going to cry! Ralph talked about my mother when he first knew her when he was a young boy in Blue River and she lived near or with the family. Wilma was one of the few cousins that did keep in contact with me over the years.
Rest in Peace Mrs. Baird, thank you for the childhood memories.
Sending my sincere condolences to Keith, Laurel, Karen and families on the death of your dear mother and grandmother. My aunty Wilma will be greatly missed by many people. She was compassionate, kind and caring. She was hospitable and gracious. I have fond memories. I have recently seen many Facebook posts by Dominique with her grandma which reflects Aunty Wilma ‘s loving, mothering nature. The video shared of Aunty Wilma singing “You are my sunshine ” was so heart warming.Her angelic voice and shared love was so palpable. in spite of Alzheimer’s Disease she never missed a word or note. Her true spirit always shone through. May you find comfort in wonderful memories and knowing others share your grief. Sending hugs and love. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Karen and Dominique:
I am deeply saddened by the loss of your mom/grandmother. I knew her for many years! Wilma was a very nice person and a friend of mine.
Sending love and prayers. Veronika Drechsler❤️